India Grapples with Cold Wave and Dense Fog; Delhi Unveils Anti-Pollution Initiatives

Dense fog and a severe cold wave have gripped multiple Indian cities, including Delhi, where temperatures fell to 9°C, causing reduced visibility. Karnal, Moradabad, Agra, Kanpur, and Guwahati are also affected, with IMD issuing alerts. Concurrently, the Delhi Cabinet approved significant anti-pollution measures, allocating Rs. 100 crore for water body rejuvenation and establishing the capital's first E-Waste Park, as Delhi's AQI approaches 400.

A severe cold wave and dense fog have enveloped several parts of India, bringing chilly mornings and significantly reduced visibility. On Sunday, Delhi recorded temperatures as low as 9 degrees Celsius amidst thick smog, though Indira Gandhi International Airport services remained unaffected. Other cities like Karnal, Haryana, reported similar conditions at 9 degrees Celsius, while Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh, also experienced dense fog and cold wave, prompting an IMD orange alert. Agra saw the Taj Mahal obscured by fog, and Kanpur residents sought warmth around bonfires. Even Guwahati, Assam, experienced a cold wave with temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius.Simultaneously, the national capital is confronting a near 400 AQI. In response, the Delhi Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, approved critical anti-pollution measures. These include a Rs. 100 crore allocation for the rejuvenation of 160 water bodies, identified by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa as crucial for pollution control. Furthermore, Delhi's first E-Waste Park, spanning 11.5 acres at Holambi Kalan, was sanctioned. This facility is designed to operate on a 100 percent circular, zero-waste model, adhering to stringent pollution-control standards. These initiatives underscore the government's commitment to enhancing environmental governance alongside managing the challenging winter conditions.